• TAKING DIVING EQUIPMENT?

Scuba equipment must be within the weight allowance allowed by the airline. Some airlines allow you to purchase extra weight for equipment, please check when booking your flight. BCDs and bottles must be empty, properly closed and carried in the hold.
Note: Some content and depth gauges and computers can be affected by low pressure. As with cameras, these should be carried as part of your hand luggage.

• DIVER MEDICAL

All qualified divers and anyone taking part in a PADI course are required to sign a diver medical onboard or in resort before commencing any diving activities.
In all cases, if you have, or think you have, any of the medical conditions listed you will need signed clearance from a doctor valid within 12 months of your planned liveaboard trip. Where doctor’s clearance is needed, we ask you to arrange this before arrival where possible and to bring it with you to avoid any delays, additional costs or even missing the trip.

• ARE THERE TOURS TO LAND DIVE SITES ?

Every day for the not so seaworthy divers we also offer trips by minibus and pickup to the beautiful
long reef diving areas, maximum driving time is 60 minutes.

• WHAT WETSUIT SHOULD I BRING?

Shorty in the summer and most people are OK in 5mm long for the winter. Instructors are mainly in
dry suits.

• WHAT CURRENCY SHOULD I BRING?

We accept payment in cash; Euro, Sterling, Egyptian Pound (LE), USD, Visa, MasterCard.

• WHAT TIME DO YOU DEPART FROM DIVE CENTRE TO BOAT?

Between 8 am and 8.3am depending on checking in new guests and organizing permissions

• HOW MANY DIVERS ARE THERE PER BOAT?

Depends on the license but max is 17-30 divers..

• HOW MANY GUIDES ON EACH BOAT?

Currently CDWS have not specified a maximum number of guests to guides on each boat but we operate on a twelve to one with fewer guests as necessary depending on level of diver’s experience.

• WHAT DIVE SITES ARE SUITABLE FOR NOVICE DIVERS?

All local sites are suitable, depending on weather conditions.

• SHOULD I BRING MEDCIAL SERTIFICATE WITH ME AS A CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE FOR PARTICIPATING IN DIVING ?

ES, the medical certificate should not be older than 24 months for persons under 40 years of age and no older than 12 months for persons over 40 years of age. Bring the certificate with you at check-in.

• DO DIVES TAKE PLACE IN ANY WEATHER ?

Basically, the safety of our clients is our top priority. For this reason, all our dive trips depend on the weather and can be changed or cancelled for safety reasons without prior notice. Alternatively, our house reef offers, on account of its topographical position, the possibility safe and beautiful dives 360 days a year which is a rarity, even in Egypt.

• IS THERE A SHOP AT THE CENTER ?

Of course, we have a shop! We have a large range of T-Shirts, equipment, swimwear, accessories, etc.

• AT ATLANTIK DIVING CENTER WHERE DO THE DIVING INSTRUCTION COURSES TAKE PLACE ?

At Atlantik base we have air-conditioning classrooms with DVD/Video devices and large amounts of
documentary material for instructional purposes.

• CAN I DIVE WITH NITROX AT ATLANIK DIVING CENTER ?

We have a Nitrox membrane system. EAN 32 is available for certified Nitrox The orientation dive, even for non-certified Nitrox divers, can be used after a short Nitrox instruction session for divers to get to know the benefits of Nitrox (of course under the supervision of a diving professional and at no additional cost)

• CAN I DIVE WITHOUT A DIVING GUIDE ?

According to Egyptian law, the following rule applies:
Only divers with more than 25 logged dives may dive independently (without guide).
Divers with less than 25 logged dives must be accompanied by a dive guide, who is registered with the National Chamber of Diving and Water Sports and its approval is renewed for the current year.

• WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF THE SALT CONTENT IN THE RED SEA ?

The buoyancy is significantly higher due to high salt content!
The Red Sea has a salinity of approximately 4.3%; compared to the North Sea, which has a salinity of about 3.2%, the lift is consequently higher, which requires carrying additional lead.

• WHAT DIVING EQUIPMENT IS AVAILABLE AT THE DIVE CENTER?

Brand name equipment from Scuba pro (ABC, jackets, suits, breathing regulators, etc.) can be rented or purchased.

• DO I NEED A DIVING COMPUTER ?

Yes we always use diving computers! For safety reasons every diver is obliged to have a diving computer. If you do not have one – no problem: Computers can be rented from us.

• CAN I WEAR DIVING GLOVES ?

No. The laws in Egypt prohibit wearing diving gloves

• RENTAL EQUIPMENT ?

Rental equipment is available onsite. There are rental sets available on site from the companies Cresi and scuba pro. ABC, diving regulator, jackets, suits, computer, diving lights, photo cameras, video, etc. and everything you may need for a perfect dive! – available onsite at a nominal fee

• IF I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY EQUIPMENT , IS THERE IS QUALIFIED STAFF ON HAND TO REPAIR IT ?

Our team is always at your disposal! In our workshop our trained staff regularly services our rental
equipment and we can repair (almost) everything for our clients.

• WHICH TYPE OF TANKS DO YOU HAVE ?

We have three different tanks on offer: 12 liter, 15 liter and 9 liter aluminum tanks for compressed air and Nitrox. The tanks are fitted with DIN valves, INT adapters and are available upon request.

• CAN I CARRY A DIVING KNIFE?

Yes, you may carry a diving knife. The Reason is: Diving knives are tools for use in emergencies.

• DO YOU NEED A MINIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS FOR THE BOAT AND BUS TOURS FOR TAKE PLACE?

We require at least two people for the boat or bus tours.

• PAYMENT OPTIONS ON-SITE ?

Payment with us is possible cash (Euro, US Dollar, Swiss Franc, English and Egyptian Pound) and with Visa and Mastercard. If you pay by card we have to convert it in US Dollars and will add 2% fee.

• WHERE CAN I KEEP MY DIVE KIT OVERNIGHT?

Either securely on the boat or in a secure equipment room.

• IF I HAVE BEEN DIVING, HOW LONG SHOULD I WAIT BEFORE FLYING?

PADI recommend 12 hours before flying after 1 dive, 18 hours if you have done multiple dives over multiple days. Here at Emperor Divers, we require you to have 24 hours clear before flying.

• DO I NEED INSURANCE?

Yes and it is important to check the depth. Some are for 18m only and others are for your certification level. If you want to dive deeper, eg you are on a tech course, it is important to check properly. We can provide this in resort for a small charge.

• WHAT IF I HAVE A MEDICAL CONDITION?

You will find a copy of the standard Medical Form on the PADI website. If you are doing a course, and can answer ‘yes’ to any of these questions, then you should see a doctor before arriving and bring with you a signed Medical Declaration that you are fit to dive from them.

• I'VE LOST MY CERTIFICATION CARD; CAN I STILL DIVE WITH YOU?

Please make every effort to get a replacement before you travel as it’s often difficult to confirm your status from Egypt. If you are a PADI diver then don’t worry, in an emergency we can check the PADI computer database online, SSI DIVERS AS WELL

• I'VE LOST MY LOGBOOK; CAN I STILL DIVE WITH YOU?

Yes, providing you prove you’re a diver. We may require you to do a check dive or scuba review first depending on your level, how many dives you think you have and when your last dive was.

• DO YOU USE DIN OR INTERNATIONAL TANKS?

All Atlantik tanks are fitted with 5/8’s DIN valves. We strongly advise divers with M26 regulators to note that when travelling outside Europe tanks with M26 valves or adapters to fit M26 regulators to 5/8’s DIN tanks may not be available. These adapters cannot be purchased in countries such as Africa, Asia, etc. and we have limited stocks available for rent. Please remember to either bring your own adapter with you or check with us regarding availability at the time of booking.

• I HAVEN'T DIVED FOR A WHILE; DO I NEED TO TAKE PART IN A COURSE?

Depends what level you are, how many dives you’ve got and when you last dived. If you are novice with not very many dives and not dived for a year we would strongly recommend a scuba review which is a one day refresher (bit of pool, bit of theory and a dive from the beach) if you are somewhat more experienced, maybe you are PADI advanced or rescue with 50-60 dives, you haven’t dived for maybe 18 months we may suggest a check dive, which is part of the daily diving activity but you just refresh 4 basic skills. Takes about ten minutes, that’s all.

• WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING WITH ME TO THE DIVE CENTRE?

Local currency for lunch and drinks, towel, bathing costumes, sun cream, log book, certification card, passport, diving equipment if owned.

• WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM DIVE TIME?

Generally, 60 mins and this is so we can account for all divers.

• WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM DIVE TIME?

Generally, 60 mins and this is so we can account for all divers.

• WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM DEPTH I CAN DIVE TO?

Our guides will guide to 30m on recreational dives or to the limit of your diving qualification. If you have a deep spec to say 40m, you have a buddy of equal level and can show your insurance allows you to dive to this depth, then CDWS allows diving to 40m. Technical diving has different rules

• WHICH DIVING CERTIFICATES ARE RECOGNIZED?

We accept the diving certificates of all recognized diving associations from scuba diver upwards.

• HOW FAR AWAY IS THE NEAREST DECOMPRESSION CHAMBER ?

Th nearest decompression chamber with specialist medical supervision is some 40 minutes away from
the Dive Centre in Port Ghalib medical center.

• WHAT ARE THE OPENING TIMES OF THE DIVE CENTER?

The base is open daily from 08.00 Hrs to 17.00 Hrs

• WHAT SHOULD I BRING WITH ME WHEN REGISTERING ?

At the start of your diving holiday with us, we need some information from you. Filling out the forms on site only takes a few minutes. But you can save time by filling out the necessary forms already at home. The forms can be found here in the download section.
In addition to the forms, we need the following documents from you:
Certification card from a recognized diving association and two copies of your passport and a valid medical certificate, which for persons under 40 years must be not more than two years old and for adults over 40 it must be less than one year old. Also bring with you the vouchers for pre-booked dive packages.

• WHAT SIZE EQUIPMENT DO YOU HAVE AVAILABLE?

Mask, snorkel, regulators are standard. Boots xxs – xxl, BCD xs – xl, shortie wetsuits xs – xxl, Full
wetsuits xs – xxl, fins (open heeled used with boots and full foot) xs – xl. We have a small stock of BCDs
and shortie wetsuits for children

• IS THE USE OF AN SMB (SURFACE MARKER BYUOYE ) OBLIGATORY ?

Yes, every buddy team needs his own SMB and for trips to our famous Elphinstone reef every single dive needs to own or to rent a SMB for his own safety. The daily rent of a SMB is 2 € a day.

• DO THE SPECIAL TRIPS RUN EVERY DAY?

We wait until we have a minimum of usually six people. We have boards in the dive center where people can sign up to each trip and specify the dates they can make the trips.

• WHAT LANGUAGE MATERIALS DO YOU HAVE AVAILABLE FOR COURSES?

English, French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, German, Scandinavian, Arabic, Polish, Czech and others. As long as we know about the course in advance, we can arrange the materials

• WHAT DAYS DO DIFFERENT COURSES START?

Some courses start on certain days but can be arranged on a daily basis. Please enquire.

• I'M NOT SURE IF I WANT TO TAKE A COURSE OR NOT, CAN I TRY IT FIRST?

Yes, we do free try dives in the pool. If you want to experience a little bit of what an Open Water Course is like we do a Discover Scuba Diving experience, which gives a little taster as to what to expect. And don’t forget our ‘Learn to Dive or your money back’ offer.

• I NEED VISION CORRECTION, IS THAT A PROBLEM?

No. Many divers wear contact lenses and you can also get masks with corrective lenses.

• CAN NON DIVERS GO ON THE BOAT TO SNORKEL?

Yes. The rule with swimming and snorkeling on boats is, if the person is not a diver they must wait until a diving staff member is back on the boat from a dive before entering the water. If the diving partner chooses not to make one of his/her dives they are allowed to be the supervising person. This is because, according to the CDWS, the diving member is viewed to have had their swimming ability
assessed.

• HOW OLD DO I HAVE TO BE TO BECOME A CERTIFIED DIVER?

10 years old to become a certified diver, but don’t worry if you’re not – our PADI Bubblemaker program will set you on your way from ages 8 upwards

• CAN CHILDREN COME ON THE BOATS?

On the diving boats it is 4yrs. Under 4yrs it is at the dive center’s discretion. Children must be
supervised on the boat. For example, if both parents are divers, one must be present at all times, unless they bring a nanny or have a friend to supervise whilst they are diving. They cannot expect the crew of the boat or the diving staff to supervise.